savory

¹ American  

[sey-vuh-ree] / ˈseɪ və ri /

especially British, savoury

adjective

more savory, savorier, most savory, savoriest

1. having a salty, spicy, or piquant flavor; not sweet.

   Plantains, though they look very similar to bananas, can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, as they take on other flavors really well.

2. having or suggesting the flavor of umami.

   A farmhouse cheddar is combined with Italian black truffles for a distinctive earthy, savory flavor.

3. pleasant or agreeable in taste or smell.

   Savory aromas fill the air as our friendly staff serves up a variety of rich Southwestern dishes.

4. pleasing, attractive, or agreeable.

   The album is a savory blend of jazz and Afrobeat.

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noun

plural

savories

1. British. an aromatic, often spicy course or dish served either as an appetizer or as a dessert, as pickled fish or brandied fruit.

savory ² American  

[sey-vuh-ree] / ˈseɪ və ri /

noun

plural

savories

1. any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Satureja, of the mint family, especially S. hortensis summer savory or S. montana winter savory, having narrow leaves used in cooking.

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savory British  

/ ˈseɪvərɪ /

noun

1. any of numerous aromatic plants of the genus Satureja, esp S. montana ( winter savory ) and S. hortensis ( summer savory ), of the Mediterranean region, having narrow leaves and white, pink, or purple flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

2. the leaves of any of these plants, used as a potherb

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Usage

What does savory mean? Savory describes the kind of rich flavor that’s most often associated with foods like meats and roasted vegetables.There are often considered to be five basic taste sensations: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory, or umami.Separately, savory is the name of several kinds of aromatic herbs of the mint family used in cooking, such as ones known as summer savory and winter savory.In the U.K., the word savory is also used to refer to a fragrant and sometimes spicy course or dish. (Such a dish may or may not be described as savory in the popular sense.)Example: That roasted mushroom dish was so savory—it had such a dark, rich flavor.

Related Words

See palatable.

Other Word Forms

• savorily adverb
• savoriness noun

Etymology

Origin of savory¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English savori; replacing Middle English savure, from Old French savoure, past participle of savourer “to savor”; savor, -y ¹

Origin of savory²

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English saverei(e), saverai(e); probably an alteration (by influence of savory ¹ ( def. ) ) of Old French sarree, from Old English sætherie from Latin saturēia

Example Sentences

For days afterward, I had a jar of deeply savory, softly tangy vegetables ready to scatter over everything.

From Salon

This means the aircraft’s noise will taste enhance the savory flavor.

From Science Daily

Every good soup, no matter how humble or ornate, seems to rely on at least a few of the same quiet categories: something aromatic to begin, something hearty to anchor it, something savory for depth.

From Salon

Warm, savory, digestible, familiar—I reach for this most mornings, appetite or no.

From Salon

Acai has been a savory staple in the Amazon for centuries, eaten as a thick paste alongside fish and manioc flour.

From Barron's

Related Words

• appetizing
• aromatic
• delectable
• fragrant
• luscious
• mellow
• piquant
• pungent
• spicy
• sweet
• tangy
• tasty
• tempting
• wholesome